Rotary Atomizer

ABSTRACT

An engine heater system for heating a diesel engine of a vehicle. The engine heater system including a gas turbine. A heat exchanger communicatively coupled to an exhaust of the gas turbine. An electric generator including connection members to couple to a battery of the vehicle, and a shaft rotatably attached between the gas turbine and the electric generator. The heat exchanger utilizes the exhaust of the gas turbine to keep the diesel engine of the vehicle within a desired temperature range, and the electric generator charges the battery when the gas turbine rotates the shaft.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 62/712,716, filed on Jul. 31, 2018, of which is incorporated hereinby reference.

BACKGROUND

Engine heaters maintain a temperature of an internal combustion engine.For example, fuel fired heaters exist which are used onboard vehicles,such as locomotives, trucks, automobiles, ships, etc. in order tomaintain the combustion engines within a desired temperature range.

In some onboard applications, fuel fired heaters may employ a fan and acombustor in order to maintain the combustion engines within a desiredtemperature range. The fan may be employed by the fuel fired heaters toprovide air to the combustor. However, the fan may be a parasitic loadon a battery of the vehicle. For example, the fan of the fuel firedheater may be powered by the battery of the vehicle, reducing a chargeof the battery of the vehicle.

Moreover, the fuel fired heaters may employ a pump in order to maintainthe combustion engines within a desired temperature range. The pump maybe employed by the fuel fired heaters to provide for pumping an engineoil or an engine coolant. However, the pump may also be a parasitic loadon the battery of the vehicle. For example, the pump of the fuel firedheater may be powered by the battery of the vehicle, again reducing acharge of the battery of the vehicle.

Thus, there remains a need to develop new fuel fired heaters that aremore efficient and not a parasitic load on the vehicle the fuel firedheaters are maintaining within a desired temperature range.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce simplified concepts for systems,devices, and components of the disclosure which are further describedbelow in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended toidentify essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is itintended for use in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

In an embodiment, an engine heater system may provide for heating adiesel engine of a vehicle (e.g., a locomotive, a ship, or a truck,etc.). The engine heater system may be located onboard of the vehicleand may include a heat exchanger communicatively coupled to an exhaustof a gas turbine. The heat exchanger may utilize the exhaust of the gasturbine to keep the diesel engine of the vehicle within a desiredtemperature range. A shaft may be rotatably attached between the gasturbine and an electric generator, and the generator may charge thebattery when the gas turbine rotates the shaft.

In an embodiment, an engine heater system may include a heat exchangercommunicatively coupled to an exhaust of a gas turbine. The heatexchanger may utilize the exhaust of the gas turbine to keep the dieselengine of the vehicle within a desired temperature range.

In an embodiment, a shaft may be rotatably attached between a gasturbine and an electric generator. When the gas turbine rotates theshaft, the generator charges a battery of the vehicle.

In an embodiment, a combustor system may include a toroidal-shapedcombustion zone having an outside perimeter opposite a central hole. Anairflow channel may interface with the outside perimeter of thetoroidal-shaped combustion zone. The airflow channel may provide fordelivering air to the toroidal-shaped combustion zone. An atomizercomponent may be fixed to a portion of a shaft extending into thecentral hole of the toroidal-shaped combustion zone. The atomizercomponent may provide for atomizing a liquid fuel into thetoroidal-shaped combustion zone when the shaft is rotated.

In an embodiment, a combustor system may include a toroidal-shapedcombustion zone having an outside perimeter opposite a central hole. Anatomizer component may be fixed to a portion of a shaft extending intothe central hole of the toroidal-shaped combustion zone. The atomizercomponent may provide for atomizing a liquid fuel into thetoroidal-shaped combustion zone when the shaft is rotated.

In an embodiment, a combustor system may include a toroidal-shapedcombustion zone having an outside perimeter opposite a central hole. Anairflow channel may interface with the outside perimeter of thetoroidal-shaped combustion zone. The airflow channel may provide fordelivering air to the toroidal-shaped combustion zone.

In an embodiment, a rotary atomizer may include an atomizer componentfixable to a shaft having a longitudinal axis. The atomizer componentmay include a plate and a wall extending from a perimeter of the plate.The wall may have a height varying curvilinearly along the perimeter ofthe plate. The plate may extend transversely to the longitudinal axis ofthe shaft, and the wall may extend from the plate in a direction ofextension of the longitudinal axis of the shaft. When the shaft isrotated and a liquid is introduced to the plate of the atomizercomponent, the varying height of the wall causes the liquid to atomizeaway from the atomizer component.

In an embodiment, an atomizer component may include a plate and a wallextending from a perimeter of the plate. The wall may have a heightvarying curvilinearly along the perimeter of the plate. When theatomizer component is rotated and a liquid is introduced to the plate ofthe atomizer component, the height of the wall varying curvilinearlyalong the perimeter of the plate atomizes the liquid away from theatomizer component.

In an embodiment, an atomizer component may include a plate and a wallextending from a perimeter of the plate. The wall may have a pluralityof peaks interspersed by a plurality of troughs along the perimeter ofthe plate. When the atomizer component is rotated, the plurality ofpeaks interspersed by the plurality of troughs along the perimeter ofthe plate atomizes a liquid away from the atomizer component.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanyingfigures. The use of the same reference numbers in different figuresindicates similar or identical items.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example engine heater system for heating a dieselengine of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the instantdisclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a section view of an example combustor systemaccording to an embodiment of the instant disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of an example atomizer componentaccording to an embodiment of the instant disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates a section view of another example combustor systemaccording to an embodiment of the instant disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Overview

As noted above, engine heaters may employ fans and/or pumps that areparasitic loads on batteries of the vehicles the engine heaters aremaintaining within a desired temperature range. This disclosure isdirected to engine heater systems, for heating a diesel engine of avehicle for example, that are not a parasitic load on the vehicles, andtherefore are more efficient. In an embodiment of the instantapplication, the engine heater systems include a heat exchangercommunicatively coupled to an exhaust of a gas turbine and a shaftrotatably attached between the gas turbine and an electric generator.The heat exchanger utilizing the exhaust of the gas turbine to keep thediesel engine of the vehicle within a desired temperature range, and thegenerator charging the battery of the vehicle when the gas turbinerotates the shaft.

Traditional engine heaters have been installed onboard of vehicles andarranged to keep the diesel engine within a desired temperature rangevia a fan receiving electric power from the battery of the vehicle. Forexample, an electric fan powered by a battery of the vehicle may beemployed with a combustor in order to maintain the diesel engine withina desired temperature range. Moreover, traditional engine heaters may beconfigured to use an electric pump also powered by a battery of thevehicle to maintain the diesel engine within a desired temperaturerange. Because traditional engine heaters utilize a battery of thevehicle to power fans and/or pumps, they are parasitic to the vehicleand inefficient at maintaining the diesel engine of the vehicle with adesired temperature range. Having fans and/or pumps that are not poweredby a battery of the vehicle to keep an engine with in a desiredtemperature range, may allow for optimizing a vehicle's operation andreduce power consumption costs.

Accordingly, this disclosure describes engine heater systems that mayresult in a more efficient operation of the vehicle. In an embodiment, aheat exchanger may be communicatively coupled to an exhaust of a gasturbine, the heat exchanger utilizing the exhaust of the gas turbine tokeep the engine of the vehicle within a desired temperature. Further, anelectric generator charges a battery of the vehicle when the gas turbinerotates a shaft rotatably attached between the gas turbine and theelectric generator.

While this application describes implementations that are described inthe context of an onboard engine heater system for maintaining a dieselengine of a vehicle within a desired temperature, the implementationsdescribed herein may be used in other environments and are applicable toother contexts. For example, the engine heater systems may be located atany desired location, including with a generator (e.g., backupgenerator) located at a server farm, a hospital, a high-rise building,remote cell tower site, an urban cell tower site, an oil site, a gassite, etc.

In an embodiment, the engine heater systems may include a trapped vortexcombustor. For example, a gas turbine of the engine heater system may becommunicatively coupled to a trapped vortex combustor. The trappedvortex combustor may include a toroidal-shaped combustion zone having anoutside perimeter opposite a central hole. An airflow channel mayinterface with the outside perimeter of the toroidal-shaped combustionzone for delivering air to the toroidal-shaped combustion zone. Anatomizer component may be fixed to a portion of a shaft of the engineheater system. The atomizer component may provide for atomizing a liquidfuel into the toroidal-shaped combustion zone when the gas turbinerotates the shaft.

In an embodiment, a trapped vortex combustor may include an atomizercomponent including a plate and a wall extending from a perimeter of theplate. The wall may have a height varying curvilinearly along theperimeter of the plate. When the shaft is rotated and a liquid isintroduced to the plate of the atomizer component, the varying height ofthe wall causes the liquid to atomize away from the atomizer component.

Example Engine Heaters

FIG. 1 illustrates an example engine heater system 100 for heating adiesel engine of a vehicle 102. While FIG. 1 illustrates the vehicle 102is a locomotive (e.g., a diesel electric locomotive), the vehicle 102may be a ship, a truck, a car, etc. The engine heater system 100 may beonboard of the vehicle 102. For example, the engine heater system 100may be arranged on the vehicle 102 for heating the diesel engine of thevehicle 102.

The engine heater system 100 may include a gas turbine 104. A heatexchanger 106 may be communicatively coupled to an exhaust 108 of thegas turbine 104. An electric generator 110 including connection members112 may be coupled to a battery 114 of the vehicle 102. The battery 114may be a battery bank of a diesel electric locomotive. A shaft 116 maybe rotatably attached between the gas turbine 104 and the electricgenerator 110. A combustor system 118 may be communicatively coupled tothe gas turbine 104. The combustor system 118 may be a trapped vortexcombustor (discussed in more detail below with regard to FIG. 2). Thecombustor system 118 may provide for heating air. The heated air thenacts on the blades of the gas turbine 104 to rotate the gas turbine 104.The rotating gas turbine 104 rotates the shaft 116. When the gas turbine104 rotates the shaft 116, the electric generator 110 charges thebattery 114. Moreover, the heat exchanger 106 utilizes the exhaust 108of the gas turbine 104 to keep the diesel engine of the vehicle 102within a desired temperature range.

In one example, the heat exchanger 106 may utilize the exhaust 108 ofthe gas turbine 104 to heat an engine coolant of the diesel engine ofthe vehicle 102 to keep the diesel engine within the desired temperaturerange. In another example, the heat exchanger 106 may utilize theexhaust 108 of the gas turbine 104 to heat an engine oil of the dieselengine of the vehicle 102 to keep the diesel engine within the desiredtemperature range. In another example, the heat exchanger 106 mayutilize the exhaust 108 of the gas turbine 104 to heat an engine coolantof the diesel engine of the vehicle 102 to keep a cab of the vehicle 102at a desired temperature.

FIG. 1 illustrates the engine heater system 100 may include a compressor120. The compressor 120 may be attached to the shaft 116. The compressor120 may force air 122 to the combustor system 118. When the gas turbine104 rotates the shaft 116, the shaft 116 rotates the compressor 120 toforce the air 122 to the combustor system 118.

The connection members 112 may further couple electric generator 110 toan electric motor 124 of a coolant pump 126. When the gas turbine 104rotates the shaft 116, the electric generator 110 may power the electricmotor 124 of the-coolant pump 126. The coolant pump 126 may force enginecoolant 128 through the heat exchanger 106. The exhaust 108 of the gasturbine 104 may then heat the engine coolant 128 forced through the heatexchanger 106 by the coolant pump 126. The heated engine coolant 128 maybe used to keep the diesel engine within the desired temperature range.While FIG. 1 illustrates an coolant pump 126 for forcing engine coolant128 through the heat exchanger 106, an oil pump (not shown) may bepowered by the electric generator 110 to force engine oil through theheat exchanger 106. In such an embodiment, the exhaust 108 of the gasturbine 104 may heat the engine oil forced through the heat exchanger106 by the oil pump. The heated engine oil may be used to keep thediesel engine within the desired temperature range. The heat exchanger106 may be further communicatively coupled to an exhaust pipe 130 forventing the exhaust. While FIG. 1 illustrates the exhaust 108 of the gasturbine 104 heating an engine oil, the exhaust 108 of the gas turbine104 may heat a hydraulic oil, a fuel (e.g., diesel fuel), etc.

Because the engine heater system 100 includes the gas turbine 104 thatrotates the compressor 120, charges the battery 114, and powers thecoolant pump 126, rather than drawing power from the battery 114, theengine heater system 100 is not a parasitic load on the battery 114 ofthe vehicle 102 and is more efficient. For example, because the gasturbine 104 rotates the compressor 120 and powers the coolant pump 126,the engine heater system 100 does not require power from the battery 114to run the compressor 120 or the coolant pump 126, and instead chargesthe battery 114 making the engine heater system 100 more efficient.

Example Combustor Systems

FIG. 2 illustrates a section view 200 of an example combustor system202. The combustor system 202 may be implemented in the engine heatersystem 100 of FIG. 1. The combustor system 202 may be the same as thecombustor system 118 discussed above.

FIG. 2 illustrates the combustor system 202 may include atoroidal-shaped combustion zone 204. The toroidal-shaped combustion zone204 may have an outside perimeter 206 opposite a central hole 208. Anairflow channel 210 may interface with the outside perimeter 206 of thetoroidal-shaped combustion zone 204 for delivering the air 122 to thetoroidal-shaped combustion zone 204. For example, the compressor 120 mayforce the air 122 through the airflow channel 210 for delivering the air122 to the toroidal-shaped combustion zone 204. The compressor 120 mayforce an amount of air that is dependent on the engine heater system 100output and fuel burned. In one example, the engine heater system 100 maybe a 15 kW (kilowatt) heater and the compressor 120 may force about 14cfm (cubic feet per minute) through the airflow channel 210. In anotherexample, the engine heater system 100 may be a 30 kW heater and thecompressor 120 may force about 28 cfm through the airflow channel 210.The toroidal-shaped combustion zone 204 may heat the air 122. Forexample, the toroidal-shaped combustion zone 204 may contain a flamevortex 212 that heats the air 122 delivered by the airflow channel 210.The airflow channel 210 may deliver the heated air 122 to the gasturbine 104.

At least a portion 214 of the shaft 116 may extend into the central hole208 of the toroidal-shaped combustion zone 204. An atomizer component216 may be fixed to the portion 214 of the shaft 116. The atomizercomponent 216 may provide for atomizing 218 a liquid fuel 220 into thetoroidal-shaped combustion zone 204 when the shaft 116 is rotated. Forexample, when the shaft 116 is rotated by the gas turbine 104, the shaft116 rotates the atomizer component 216 and the liquid fuel 220 that isintroduced to the rotating atomizer component 216 is atomized 218 intothe toroidal-shaped combustion zone 204. When the shaft 116 is rotated,the shaft 116 may rotate at about 6000 revolutions per minute (rpm).

The gas turbine 104 may be communicatively coupled to thetoroidal-shaped combustion zone 204. As discussed above, the heatexchanger 106 may be communicatively coupled to an exhaust of the gasturbine 104. The portion 214 of the shaft 116 extending into the centralhole 208 of the toroidal-shaped combustion zone 204 may be a firstportion of the shaft 116, and a second portion of the shaft 116 may beattached to the gas turbine 104.

At least a portion 222 of a tube 224 may be arranged in the central hole208 of the toroidal-shaped combustion zone 204. The tube 224 may providefor introducing the liquid fuel 220 to the atomizer component 216. Forexample, the tube 224 may have an end 226 arranged proximate to theatomizer component 216 for dispensing the liquid fuel 220 onto theatomizer component 216. The tube 224 may have an inside diameter ofabout 0.09 inch, and the liquid fuel 220 may be pressurized, inside ofthe tube 224, at about 30 pounds per square inch (psi) for introducingthe liquid fuel 220 to the atomizer component 216.

In an embodiment, the atomizer component 216 may include a plate 228fixed to the portion 214 of the shaft 116. The breadth of the plate 228may extend in a direction transversely to a direction of extension ofthe longitudinal axis 230 of the shaft 116. A wall 232 may extend froman outer perimeter of the plate 228. The wall 232 may extend from theplate 228 in the direction of extension of the longitudinal axis 230 ofthe shaft 116. The wall 232 may have a varying height that causes theliquid fuel 220 to atomize 218 away from the atomizer component 216 whenthe rotatable shaft 116 is rotated (discussed in more detail below withregard to FIGS. 2 and 3).

Because the combustor system 202 includes the large tube 224 fordispensing the liquid fuel 220 to the atomizer component 216, thecombustor system 202 is well-suited suited for use with dirty liquidfuel (e.g., liquid fuel having debris), less susceptible to the tube 224becoming clogged, and incurs relatively less maintenance as compared toa plurality of smaller nozzles having smaller orifices that may atomizethe liquid fuel 220 into the toroidal-shaped combustion zone 204. For atleast these reasons, the combustor system 202 is more efficient thancombustor systems employing a plurality of smaller nozzles to atomizethe liquid fuel.

While this application describes the combustor system 202 beingimplemented in the engine heater system 100 of FIG. 1, the combustorsystem 202 described herein may be used in other environments and isapplicable to other contexts. For example, the combustor system 202 maybe implemented in a gas-powered generator, including with a gas-poweredgenerator located on an airplane, on a ship, in a submarine, in agenerator (e.g., backup generator) located at a server farm, a hospital,a high-rise building, remote cell tower site, an urban cell tower site,an oil site, a gas site, etc.

Example Atomizer Components

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view 300 of an example atomizercomponent 302. The atomizer component 302 may be implemented in thecombustor system 202 of FIG. 2. The atomizer component 302 may be thesame as the atomizer component 216 discussed above.

FIG. 3 illustrates the atomizer component 302 may include a plate 304. Awall 306 may extend from a perimeter 308 of the plate 304. The perimeter308 of the plate 304 may have a curvilinear shape. In an exampleembodiment, an outside diameter of the plate 304 may be about 3 inches.However, the size of the diameter may vary according to the specific andvarying needs of different implementations of the atomizer component302. The wall 306 may have a height 310 varying curvilinearly 312 alongthe perimeter 308 of the plate 304. For example, the wall 306 may have aplurality of peaks 314 interspersed by a plurality of troughs 316 alongthe upper end (edge 318) of the wall 306 as it extends around theperimeter 308 of the plate 304. Stated otherwise, a profile of the wall306 may have a plurality of teeth spaced consecutively along a length ofthe wall 306. The varying height 310 of the wall 306 may have adifference of about 0.2 inches between a first height of the varyingheight 310 of the wall 306 and a second height of the varying height 310of the wall 306. For example, a peak of the plurality of peaks 314 and atrough of the plurality of troughs 316 may have a difference in heightof about 0.2 inches. Adjacent peaks of the plurality of peaks 314 may beseparated a distance of about 0.6 inches. Likewise, adjacent troughs ofthe plurality of troughs 316 may be separated a distance of about 0.6inches. Accordingly, each peak of the plurality of peaks 314 may beseparated by a distance of about 0.3 inches from an adjacent trough ofthe plurality of troughs 316. In an embodiment, each peak of theplurality of peaks 314 and each trough of the plurality of troughs 316may have a radius of about 0.2 inches. In an alternative embodiment (notshown), the radius may vary from peak to peak, either uniformly orselectively. Side profile view 322 illustrates the profile of the wall306 may have a plurality of teeth spaced consecutively along a length ofthe wall 306.

The varying height 310 of the wall 306 defines the edge 318 of the wall306. For example, the plurality of peaks 314 interspersed by theplurality of troughs 316 along the perimeter 308 of the plate 304 maydefine the edge 318 of the wall 306. In an example embodiment, the edge318 of the wall 306 may have a perimeter length of about 11 inches, athickness of about 0.1 inch, and an overall height of about 0.5 inch.The edge 318 of the wall 306 may be a sharp edge to enhance theatomization of the fluid. However, the sizes of the perimeter,thickness, and overall height may vary according to the specific andvarying needs of different implementations of the atomizer component302.

While FIG. 3 illustrates the varying height 310 of the wall 306 having asmooth repetitive oscillational shape (e.g., sinusoidal shape), thevarying height 310 of the wall 306 may have other shapes. For example,the varying height 310 of the wall 306 may have a sharp repetitiveoscillational shape, a smooth irregular (e.g., non-repetitive)oscillational shape, a sharp irregular oscillational shape, etc. For thepurposes of this disclosure, a “sharp” shape may refer to the change indirection of the wall height going into or out of a trough as beingnon-curvilinear or non-radial, and instead the change in direction isabruptly transverse.

The atomizer component 302 may be fixed to a shaft (e.g., shaft 116) viaa mounting portion 320 arranged with the plate 304. In an example, themounting member 320 may simply include an opening through the plate 304,where the opening is sized to receive at least a portion of the shaft.In another example, the mounting portion 320 may further include acoupler (not shown) to couple with a mating coupler attached to at leasta portion of the shaft. In another example, the mounting member 320 mayfurther include a collar (not shown) to receive at least a portion ofthe shaft. In another example, the mounting member 320 may furtherinclude a fastener (e.g., a threaded fastener, a snap-fit fastener, apress-fit fastener, a friction-fit fastener, etc.) (not shown) to fastento a mating fastener attached to at least a portion of the shaft. In anexample embodiment, the mounting member 320 may have an inside diameterof about 0.4 inch to receive at least a portion of the shaft. However,the size of the inside diameter may vary according to the specific andvarying needs of different implementations of the atomizer component302.

While FIG. 3 illustrates the atomizer component 302 may be fixed to ashaft via a mounting member 320, the atomizer component 302 may be fixedto a shaft via any other desired means. For example, the atomizercomponent 302 may be fixed to a shaft via welding. In another example,the atomizer component 302 and the shaft may be formed of a single piece(e.g., a single unit) of material (e.g., metal, plastic, composite,etc.).

Similar to the atomizer component 216 discussed above, when the atomizercomponent 302 is fixed to a shaft (e.g., shaft 116), the breadth of theplate 304 extends in a direction transversely to a direction ofextension of a longitudinal axis of the shaft, and the wall 306 extendsfrom the plate 304 in the direction of extension of the longitudinalaxis of the shaft. When the shaft is rotated and a liquid is introducedto the plate 304 of the atomizer component 302, the varying height 310of the wall 306 causes the liquid to atomize away from the atomizercomponent 302. For example, when the liquid is a liquid fuel (e.g.,liquid fuel 220), and when the shaft is rotated and the liquid fuel isintroduced to the plate 304 of the atomizer component 302, the varyingheight 310 of the wall 306 causes the liquid fuel to atomize (e.g.,atomize 218) away from the atomizer component 302 and into a combustionzone (e.g., toroidal-shaped combustion zone 204). Similarly, when theliquid is a liquid fuel and when the shaft is rotated and the liquidfuel is introduced to the plate 304 of the atomizer component 302, theplurality of peaks 314 interspersed by the plurality of troughs 316along the perimeter 308 of the plate 304 cause the liquid fuel toatomize away from the atomizer component 302 and into a combustion zone.

When compared to a conventional atomizer component, because the atomizercomponent 302 of the instant disclosure has a varying height 310, theatomizer component 302 has a perimeter length longer than a perimeterlength of a conventional atomizer component that has a constant heightalong the perimeter thereof. For the purposes of the instant disclosure,“perimeter length” refers to the measurable length of the extension ofthe wall edge 318 beginning and ending at a reference point on the wall306, from which the length is measured along the edge 318 as it variesup and down in height. For example, the atomizer component 302 havingthe varying height 310 may have a perimeter length of about 11 inches,while a conventional atomizer component having a constant wall heightand a plate with the same diameter as the atomizer component 302, mayhave a perimeter length of about 9 inches. Because the atomizercomponent 302 has a longer perimeter length than a perimeter length of aconventional atomizer component having a constant height along aperimeter of the atomizer component, the linear speed of the atomizercomponent 302 is greater than the linear speed of the conventionalatomizer component. For example, the atomizer component 302 may have alinear speed of about 1060 inches per second, while the conventionalatomizer component having the same diameter as the atomizer component302 and having a constant height, may have linear speed of about 900inches per second when rotated at the same speed of about 6,000revolutions per minute.

Further, when compared to a conventional atomizer component, because theatomizer component 302 of the instant disclosure has a varying height310, the atomizer component 302 distributes droplets of the atomizedliquid fuel over a wider area. The wider area permits more air to beinterspersed between the droplets, which accelerates evaporation. Theaccelerated evaporation then results in a higher efficiency ofcombustion than the conventional atomizer component. The droplet areamay be a result of a depth of the varying height 310. For example, thedroplet area may be a result of a distance from peak to trough of thevarying height 310. Because the atomizer component has the varyingheight 310, the varying height 310 produces a wider droplet area (e.g.,particle distribution) than atomizer components not having a varyingheight, but rather have holes or knife edges. For example, because theatomizer component has the varying height 310, the varying height 310produces a wide droplet area of about 0.15 inches as compared to a thinband droplet area of about 0.01 inches produced by the atomizercomponents having holes or knife edges.

While this application describes the atomizer component 302 beingimplemented in the combustor system 202 of FIG. 2, the atomizercomponent 302 described herein may be used in other environments and isapplicable to other contexts. For example, the atomizer component 302may be implemented in a turbine engine, including with a turbine enginelocated on an airplane, a helicopter, a boat, a submarine, etc. Further,the atomizer component 302 may be implemented in a sprayer, includingwith a paint sprayer, a snow cannon (e.g., snow gun), an airbrush, aninsecticide sprayer, a pressure washer, etc.

Another Example Combustor Systems

FIG. 4 illustrates a section view 400 of another example combustorsystem 402 that may be implemented in the engine heater system 100 ofFIG. 1. The combustor system 402 may be the same as the combustor system118 discussed above. Inasmuch as FIG. 4 depicts the combustor system 402implementable in the engine heater system 100 of FIG. 1, while referringto the same elements and features of the combustor system 402, thefollowing discussion of specific features may refer interchangeably toany of FIG. 1, 2, or 3 except where explicitly indicated. In particular,FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of the combustor system 402, includingthe toroidal-shaped combustion zone 204, the airflow channel 210, theatomizer component 216, and the tube 224.

FIG. 4 illustrates the combustor system 402 may include a guide vane404. The guide vane 404 may be disposed adjacent a leading side of thetoroidal-shaped combustion zone 204 in a direction of air flow throughthe airflow channel 210 so that the airflow channel 210 guides a portionof the air 122 from the airflow channel 210 directly into thetoroidal-shaped combustion zone 204. The portion of the air 122 guidedby the guide vane 404 into the toroidal-shaped combustion zone 204 mayprovide for a reversed flame vortex 406. For example, the guide vane 404may cause reversal of the direction of the flame vortex 212 illustratedin FIG. 2. A reversed flame vortex 406 may have a higher efficiency ofcombustion than the flame vortex 212 illustrated in FIG. 2.

CONCLUSION

Although the subject matter has been described in language specific tostructural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understoodthat the subject matter defined in the appended claims is notnecessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather,the specific features and acts are disclosed as example forms ofimplementing the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A rotary atomizer comprising: an atomizercomponent fixable to a shaft having a longitudinal axis, the atomizercomponent including: a plate, a wall extending from a perimeter of theplate, the wall having a height varying curvilinearly along theperimeter of the plate, wherein when the atomizer component is fixed tothe shaft, the plate extends transversely to the longitudinal axis ofthe shaft, and the wall extends from the plate in a direction ofextension of the longitudinal axis of the shaft, and wherein when theshaft is rotated and a liquid is introduced to the plate of the atomizercomponent, the varying height of the wall causes the liquid to atomizeaway from the atomizer component.
 2. The rotary atomizer of claim 1,wherein the liquid is a liquid fuel, and wherein when the shaft isrotated and the liquid fuel is introduced to the plate of the atomizercomponent, the varying height of the wall causes the liquid fuel toatomize away from the atomizer component and into a combustion zone. 3.The rotary atomizer of claim 2, wherein the combustion zone is atoroidal-shaped combustion zone.
 4. The rotary atomizer of claim 1,wherein the perimeter of the plate has a curvilinear shape and anoutside diameter of about 3 inches.
 5. The rotary atomizer of claim 1,wherein the varying height of the wall has a difference of about 0.2inches between a first height of the varying height of the wall and asecond height of the varying height of the wall.
 6. The rotary atomizerof claim 1, wherein the varying height of the wall defines an edge ofthe wall, and wherein the edge of the wall has a length of about 11inches.
 7. An atomizer component comprising: a plate; and a wallextending from a perimeter of the plate, the wall having a heightvarying curvilinearly along the perimeter of the plate; wherein when theatomizer component is rotated and a liquid is introduced to the plate ofthe atomizer component, the height of the wall varying curvilinearlyalong the perimeter of the plate atomizes the liquid away from theatomizer component.
 8. The atomizer component of claim 7, wherein theliquid is a liquid fuel.
 9. The atomizer component of claim 8, whereinwhen the atomizer component is rotated and the liquid fuel is introducedto the plate, the height of the wall varying curvilinearly along theperimeter of the plate causes the liquid fuel to atomize away from theatomizer component and into a combustion zone.
 10. The atomizercomponent of claim 7, wherein the perimeter of the plate has acurvilinear shape.
 11. The atomizer component of claim 7, wherein theperimeter of the plate has an outside diameter of about 3 inches. 12.The atomizer component of claim 7, wherein the varying height of thewall has a difference of about 0.2 inches between a first height of thevarying height of the wall and a second height of the varying height ofthe wall.
 13. The atomizer component of claim 7, wherein the varyingheight of the wall defines an edge of the wall, and wherein the edge ofthe wall has a length of about 11 inches.
 14. An atomizer componentcomprising: a plate; a wall extending from a perimeter of the plate, thewall having a plurality of peaks interspersed by a plurality of troughsalong the perimeter of the plate; and wherein when the atomizercomponent is rotated, the plurality of peaks interspersed by theplurality of troughs along the perimeter of the plate atomizes a liquidaway from the atomizer component.
 15. The atomizer component of claim14, wherein the liquid is a liquid fuel.
 16. The atomizer component ofclaim 15, wherein when the atomizer component is rotated and the liquidfuel is introduced to the plate, the plurality of peaks interspersed bythe plurality of troughs along the perimeter of the plate cause theliquid fuel to atomize away from the atomizer component and into acombustion zone.
 17. The atomizer component of claim 14, wherein theperimeter of the plate has a curvilinear shape.
 18. The atomizercomponent of claim 14, wherein the perimeter of the plate has an outsidediameter of about 3 inches.
 19. The atomizer component of claim 14,wherein a peak of the plurality of peaks and a trough of the pluralityof troughs have a difference in height of about 0.2 inches.
 20. Theatomizer component of claim 14, wherein a difference in height betweeneach peak of the plurality of peaks and each trough of the plurality oftroughs cause the atomized liquid to have a wide droplet area having awidth of about 0.15 inches.
 21. The atomizer component of claim 14,wherein the plurality of peaks interspersed by the plurality of troughsalong the perimeter of the plate defines an edge of the wall, andwherein the edge of the wall has a length of about 11 inches.